Dysregulation of the DKK1 gene in pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background/aim: The canonical Wingless-type (WNT) pathway is involved in normal hematopoietic cell development and deregulated WNT signaling is implicated in the development of hematological malignancies. Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) acts as a modulator of the beta-catenin regulated canonical pathway. Activation of DKK1 leads to apoptosis and growth suppression, whereas silencing by promoter hypermethylation results in abnormal WNT activation. The secreted inhibitor Dickkopf can antagonize WNT signaling by competitively binding to low density lipoprotein receptors (LRPs) 5 and 6.